Heather North, Voice of Daphne in ‘Scooby-Doo,’ Dies at 71

One of the most well-known stars behind the original Scooby-Doo has tragically passed on. Reports confirm that Heather North, voice behind cartoon heroine Daphne Blake, died of a longtime illness at the age of 71.

According to The Hollywood Reporter and family friend Jodie Mann, North died in late November at her home in Studio City, following a long battle with an undisclosed illness. In addition to voicing the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! character on-and-off from September 1970 through 2003, North also starred in Days of Our Lives for several years, and opposite Kurt Russell in The Barefoot Executive. Other gigs over the years ranged from Gidget to The Fugitive and The Monkees.

North is survived by her son Kevin, stepdaughter Nina, stepson Wes and granddaughter Jocelyn. Her husband, TV director H. Wesley Kenney, passed away in 2015 after forty-four years of marriage. North’s other stepdaughter, Kara, died approximately a week ago as well.

The actress joined Scooby-Doo in its second season after Stefanianna Christopherson exited the role, and returned through the 1972 New Scooby-Doo movies, and several TV spinoffs and movies thereafter. Best wishes to all those mourning North’s passage in the meantime.